Adult Learning Educational Outcomes

Colleges and Universities are not really concerned (although some professors might be) with the educational outcomes of adult learners whether they be traditional or non-traditional students; yet, in all their literature they espouse the importance of retention which is obvious goal of education; however, adult learning educational outcomes are only measured, at best, until the end of the semester when finals are given. 

Even though much of advanced college learning is predicated upon what was learned the semester before, future outcomes testing for that previous subject retention is non-existent; unless, one decides to enroll in Graduate School.  Once a student passes a course in Graduate School, those adult learning educational outcomes are never tested again, until exposure (if you will) in the “real world.”

Without reinforcement either by testing or by demonstration and use of retained knowledge that knowledge will soon evaporate into the air like steam from a pot of boiling water.  And, is this not the fate of all those who hold degrees regardless of the prestige of the school from where these degrees were awarded.  Sadly, this holds true for:  Lawyers, Physicians, Dentists, Engineers, and Architects just as easily as it would hold true for Business, Nursing, and degrees in History, Sociology or Philosophy.

As a recipient of a Bachelors, Masters, or Doctorate degree, we, the general public as well as the potential employer and client/patient assumes that retention (but, at what level) has taken place; after all, what do you call a medical student who finished last in their class?  Doctor . . .

I am sure, if we are truly honest with ourselves, we will admit that at some point-in-time, we have seen individual(s) in power who do not really seem to belong there but are in that position nonetheless. 

Why do you suppose this has happened in our enlightened society? 

Is the Peter Principle correct that people get promoted to their level of incompetence? 

How strange it is that our world must operate this way, when most of us have learned in College that this is not a path to success.  But, Adult Learning Educational Outcomes never seem to matter once we have graduated.